Liberal Christian?

[jasperbound]

If God can't lie, and God reveals himself through both his creation (empirical evidence), the human conscience, and through the inspired stories in the Bible--which one do we believe if one appear to contradict the others?

I would however argue that things that may *appear* to be contradictory may actually make sense given a more perfect and complete point of view. ("Now we see through a glass, darkly; then we shall see face to face.")

I agree. It only appears to be contradictory. In fact, the more I've studied, the less contradictory it's become to me.

I don't think it is possible to determine such things within any degree of certainty (this is where faith comes in).[/QUOTE}

Faith isn't supposed to be blind.

Why is it important to believe that God have created the universe in 6 days?

I'll tell you what is important: not the 6 days, not the 6000 years, not the 24 hours. The other part.

What makes you think that what you got from Genesis "the point" and what others get from it "not the point?" Why is what you think is important important and what others might think important to be unimportant? Do you not see through the same dark glass that we all do?

 

[invisible trousers]

Because if you cannot believe Him in the very first thing He tells you, you cannot believe Him about ANYTHING -- including His love for you and the salvation He bought.

i'm not sure making your entire faith hinge on an interpretation of the genesis creation story is a good idea

 

[ottaia]

Because if you cannot believe Him in the very first thing He tells you, you cannot believe Him about ANYTHING -- including His love for you and the salvation He bought.

But I believe God's love and salvation that was bought. Yes, I believe that WITHOUT believing that the universe was created in six days. Now are you going to insult me by telling me that my faith is not as strong as yours? And if so, how can you know?

 

[holo]

I makes no difference to me how old the earth is. The bible is obviously symbolic in many places, and contradicts itself in others. The earth, after all, does not stand on pillars.

 

[JunkYardDog]

I makes no difference to me how old the earth is. The bible is obviously symbolic in many places, and contradicts itself in others. The earth, after all, does not stand on pillars.

You are right. The Bible is sometimes OBVIOUSLY symbolic. However, the Genesis creation account is not one of those. God goes to great lengths to insure you know He is speaking of regular days. He doesn't just say, "On the first day, God . . . " He says, "There was evening and morning, the first day . . . " He DESCRIBES the kind of day He is speaking of.

BTW, there is no "contradiction" in the Bible.

 

[JunkYardDog]

But I believe God's love and salvation that was bought. Yes, I believe that WITHOUT believing that the universe was created in six days. Now are you going to insult me by telling me that my faith is not as strong as yours? And if so, how can you know?

So someday, you will come into doubt about God's loveand you will not be able to take His Word in the bible for is brcause you will have chosen to undermine your belief in His Word. Sad.

The only thing being said about your faith is from your own mouth. You said "WITHOUT (emphasis yours) believing," not me. You undermine your own faith.

 

[holo]

The creation story may be literal, but it really doesn't matter to my faith.

And yes, there are contradictions in the bible. For example, one aacount says both theives mocked Jesus, another says one mocked and one believed.

 

[holo]

btw, JunkYardDog,
how did you come to the conclusion that the bible is Gods Word, and which canon?

 

[JunkYardDog]

The creation story may be literal, but it really doesn't matter to my faith.

And yes, there are contradictions in the bible. For example, one aacount says both theives mocked Jesus, another says one mocked and one believed.

No contradiction there. I mocked Jesus AND later believed. Neither account describes minute-by-minute what the thieves did. The one may have mocked at first, but seeing Jesus response, may have been ashamed and repented.

 

[JunkYardDog]

btw, JunkYardDog,
how did you come to the conclusion that the bible is Gods Word, and which canon?

You are changing the subject.

(PM me if you want an answer, though.)

 

[freewilly]

You are right. The Bible is sometimes OBVIOUSLY symbolic. However, the Genesis creation account is not one of those.

This is quite simply your interpetation and because you believe that does not mean for those who see it as symbolic that theri faith isn't as strong as yours.

 

[JunkYardDog]

This is quite simply your interpetation and because you believe that does not mean for those who see it as symbolic that theri faith isn't as strong as yours.

Actually, that's EXACTLY what it means -- when the verses are OBVIOUSLY literal.

 

[freewilly]

Actually, that's EXACTLY what it means -- when the verses are OBVIOUSLY literal.

Okay well if YOU say so because we know your word has been inpsried by GOd. Forgive me all knowing one.

:rollseyes:

 

[Tangnefedd]

I style myself a liberal Christian, which means from my point of view that I take on board quite a lot of the Christian way of thinking. However, I don't believe it is the oinly way to God.

 

[artybloke]

Okay well if YOU say so because we know your word has been inpsried by GOd. Forgive me all knowing one.

:rollseyes:

Surely you know by now that all fundamentalists have a direct line to God and therefore can't possibly be wrong?

 

[freewilly]

Surely you know by now that all fundamentalists have a direct line to God and therefore can't possibly be wrong?

I had a momentary brain freeze I am all better now though.

 

[ottaia]

But really, what difference does it make if the universe was created in six days or not other than the self-righteousness of being able to say that "I am better than all those egg-heads who think they know everything"? Isn't that saying more about ones own lack of self-esteem than about the power of God?

 

[Joykins]

Just because I don't take the first few chapters from Genesis literally doesn't mean that I think they're not true.

There are several important truths I take from the first chapter, for example:

1. God is the creator of the material world.
2. God creates order and life out of chaos.
3. God has merely to speak and it is so.
4. What God created is intrinsically good.
5. That fertility comes from God
6. That God provides sustenance.
7. That it's really important to take a day off from work once a week.

 

[JunkYardDog]

Okay well if YOU say so because we know your word has been inpsried by GOd. Forgive me all knowing one.

:rollseyes:

Absolvo te.

 

[JunkYardDog]

But really, what difference does it make if the universe was created in six days or not other than the self-righteousness of being able to say that "I am better than all those egg-heads who think they know everything"? Isn't that saying more about ones own lack of self-esteem than about the power of God?

The knowledge that God is not spoofin' us is of great value, especially when your faith comes under severe attack. You would like to characterize that as self-righteousness, but you are definitely being self-righteous in doing so.